The Studio

Rose Connolly came to work at Margaret Ellis after graduating from The University of the South with a degree in art history. She’s the “new kid,” having been here for 15 years. All her jewelry training has been in our studio. Rose is in charge of display in the studio, and helps Margaret get things ready for shows.

Anjy Smith has been on the team for 18 years. She went to Nossi School of Art and majored in fashion, then learned jewelry-making at our studio. She is also Studio Manager and in charge of all repairs.

Fred Ellis came on board to help his wife, Margaret, run the business in 1987. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and Vanderbilt Law School. He handles the business side of things, customer relations, and helps with sales.

Margaret designs the jewelry and is the person who does all PR, photography and graphic design. She also supervises production and does quality control. She sees each piece before it leaves the studio. Several years after finishing a degree in art at the University of North Alabama, she studied metalsmithing at MTSU, Penland, Arrowmont, and Appalachian Craft Center. She started designing jewelry in 1976, and quit her day job - teaching junior high art - in 1983 to begin Margaret Ellis Studio.

Edward Tomlin started working with Margaret almost from the very beginning. He studied at Atlanta School of Art and at Penland Craft Center. He and Margaret frequently work together on developing new techniques.

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